Ryan Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationRY-uhn / /ˈraɪ.ən/Irish; English
Meaning
Irish: 'little king'; English: 'descendant of the king'
Historical & Cultural Background
Ryan is derived from the Irish surname Ó Riain, which means 'descendant of Rian'. The name has been popular in Ireland for centuries and has gained widespread use in English-speaking countries. It has also been associated with various historical figures and has become a common first name in modern times.
Trend Summary
Ryan has consistently been a popular name in the United States, frequently appearing in the top 100 names for boys since the 1970s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Rian
- Ryann
International Variants
- Rian (Irish)
- Rayan (Arabic)
- Riaan (Dutch)
Famous people named Ryan
Ryan Gosling is a Canadian actor known for his roles in films such as 'La La Land' and 'Drive'.
Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian-American actor and producer, famous for his role in 'Deadpool'.
Ryan Seacrest is an American television host and radio personality, best known for hosting 'American Idol'.
Ryan Lochte is an American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, recognized for his achievements in competitive swimming.
Fictional characters named Ryan
Ryan Atwood is a character from the television series 'The O.C.', known for his troubled background and relationships.
Ryan Howard is a character from the American version of 'The Office', portrayed as a temp who rises through the ranks.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ryan was first seen in the United States in 1906. Ryan has ranked as high as #16 nationally, which occurred in 1985, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Ryan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ryan (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 545 | |
| TX | 416 | |
| NY | 359 | |
| FL | 294 | |
| PA | 172 | |
| MA | 153 | |
| IL | 123 | |
| VA | 115 | |
| NC | 114 | |
| OH | 110 | |
| GA | 109 | |
| WA | 85 | |
| MI | 77 | |
| TN | 73 | |
| IN | 73 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1906 | 10 |
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1914 | 9 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1917 | 8 |
| 1918 | 12 |
| 1919 | 6 |
| 1920 | 12 |
| 1921 | 17 |
| 1922 | 8 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1925 | 14 |
| 1926 | 14 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1928 | 14 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1931 | 15 |
| 1932 | 14 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 13 |
| 1935 | 11 |
| 1936 | 13 |
| 1937 | 14 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1939 | 21 |
| 1940 | 18 |
| 1941 | 13 |
| 1942 | 26 |
| 1943 | 34 |
| 1944 | 23 |
| 1945 | 35 |
| 1946 | 65 |
| 1947 | 102 |
| 1948 | 82 |
| 1949 | 102 |
| 1950 | 99 |
| 1951 | 105 |
| 1952 | 126 |
| 1953 | 145 |
| 1954 | 132 |
| 1955 | 176 |
| 1956 | 192 |
| 1957 | 278 |
| 1958 | 308 |
| 1959 | 400 |
| 1960 | 380 |
| 1961 | 389 |
| 1962 | 397 |
| 1963 | 647 |
| 1964 | 515 |
| 1965 | 1,086 |
| 1966 | 1,573 |
| 1967 | 1,927 |
| 1968 | 2,167 |
| 1969 | 2,246 |
| 1970 | 2,323 |
| 1971 | 6,184 |
| 1972 | 8,879 |
| 1973 | 10,513 |
| 1974 | 13,179 |
| 1975 | 15,297 |
| 1976 | 17,486 |
| 1977 | 21,249 |
| 1978 | 21,322 |
| 1979 | 23,211 |
| 1980 | 24,798 |
| 1981 | 26,814 |
| 1982 | 26,686 |
| 1983 | 27,849 |
| 1984 | 28,726 |
| 1985 | 29,909 |
| 1986 | 29,525 |
| 1987 | 28,490 |
| 1988 | 27,750 |
| 1989 | 28,407 |
| 1990 | 29,257 |
| 1991 | 27,534 |
| 1992 | 27,018 |
| 1993 | 26,729 |
| 1994 | 24,066 |
| 1995 | 23,087 |
| 1996 | 21,810 |
| 1997 | 20,528 |
| 1998 | 20,198 |
| 1999 | 21,013 |
| 2000 | 20,269 |
| 2001 | 18,289 |
| 2002 | 17,658 |
| 2003 | 19,578 |
| 2004 | 19,497 |
| 2005 | 17,988 |
| 2006 | 16,432 |
| 2007 | 15,721 |
| 2008 | 14,686 |
| 2009 | 13,120 |
| 2010 | 11,981 |
| 2011 | 11,503 |
| 2012 | 10,944 |
| 2013 | 9,893 |
| 2014 | 9,098 |
| 2015 | 8,547 |
| 2016 | 8,258 |
| 2017 | 7,705 |
| 2018 | 6,940 |
| 2019 | 6,120 |
| 2020 | 5,341 |
| 2021 | 4,732 |
| 2022 | 4,399 |
| 2023 | 4,034 |
| 2024 | 3,892 |